POLICE in Nuneaton have launched a Christmas crackdown on cash robberies at vulnerable businesses over the festive period.

The campaign comes after a van driver was sprayed with CS gas and coshed during an attempted robbery outside Bayton Road Industrial Estate in Exhall.

In a bid to prevent further robberies and raids, police will make regular patrols at random times to premises across Warwickshire which have been identified as vulnerable.

They will be visiting pubs, clubs, off licences and post offices and will also be tailing any vans they think may be carrying cash to deter or stop them becoming a target.

The crackdown comes after a van driver was attacked at about 7pm on Saturday while parked out-side Bayton Road Industrial Estate.

Four robbers got out of a nearby car and tried to steal money from him.

The victim was hit with a cosh-type weapon and CS gas was sprayed into his face.

After realising there was no money in the cab the would-be thieves fled empty handed.

Launching the campaign, Supt Neil Hewison said: "Thieves and robbers want to have a good Christmas too, but instead of earning money honestly it is at the expense of honest shopkeepers and businesses.

"Our aim is to disrupt their activities and to stop them from helping themselves to others' hard earned cash."

Police chiefs have identified businesses they think may be vulnerable and every officer has been told to make regular patrols in the areas at random times.

Supt Hewison added: "We are also not forgetting cash in transit vans as these will be operating on our roads and in busy shopping areas, and we will be following these vans during our patrols. We will not be forgetting rural locations."

Community support officers will also be providing high-visibility patrols on Sunday afternoons and evenings with their focus being on moving from shops and bookmakers to pubs and clubs as the evening progresses.

Premises that are subject to cigarette and gaming machine breaks will also be monitored.

Police will be helped by colleagues in the road policing team, with officers using advanced number plate recognition technology to target roads often used by criminals.

Det Sgt Martyn Stephens, county community safety advisor, said: "We are keen to encourage businesses to make provisions with their bank so that they can deposit their money on a regular basis over the Christmas period and consider how they are going to get to and from the bank changing routes, times and being accompanied by other members of staff.

"Our aim is by giving this advice now, people in will be able to enjoy their Christmas and have a happy and prosperous new year."